The IPL 2025 season promises to be another thrilling chapter in cricket’s premier T20 league, with teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) looking to capitalize on their new acquisitions to mount a serious title challenge. However, not all signings guarantee success, and here we explore three overseas players in RCB’s lineup who might not live up to expectations this season.
Here Are 3 Overseas RCB Players Who Might Flop In IPL 2025
Lungi Ngidi
Lungi Ngidi, the South African fast bowler, was roped in by Royal Challengers Bengaluru with hopes that his pace and experience would bolster their bowling attack. However, several factors might conspire to make IPL 2025 a less successful season for him. Firstly, Ngidi’s performance in the IPL has been inconsistent. While he has moments of brilliance, his economy rate can often soar, especially in conditions not favorable to fast bowling. The Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB’s home ground, is notorious for being a batting paradise with short boundaries, potentially limiting the impact of a bowler like Ngidi who relies more on pace than swing or variation.
Moreover, Ngidi’s recent form has shown signs of dip, both in international cricket and other T20 leagues. Injuries have been a part of his career, and managing his workload will be crucial for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, especially if he starts the season under par. The presence of other established overseas pacers in the squad, like Josh Hazlewood, might mean that Ngidi finds himself on the bench if he doesn’t hit the ground running, adding pressure to perform immediately.
Romario Shepherd
Romario Shepherd, the West Indian all-rounder, brings versatility to RCB’s team with his ability to contribute both with bat and ball. However, his success in IPL 2025 is not guaranteed. Shepherd’s T20 record is patchy, with high strike rates but often accompanied by a higher economy rate when bowling. His bowling, particularly at the death, has been questioned for its effectiveness, which is a critical phase in T20 cricket where RCB has historically struggled.
For Shepherd, adaptation to the Indian conditions, especially the unique demands of playing in Bangalore, could pose a challenge. The Chinnaswamy pitch might not assist his style of bowling, forcing him into a role where he might need to bowl more cutters and slower balls, areas where he has shown vulnerability. Additionally, with RCB’s deep batting lineup, finding consistent opportunities to showcase his batting might be tough, potentially relegating him to a lesser role than anticipated.
Jacob Bethell
Jacob Bethell, the young English all-rounder, represents a gamble for RCB, banking on potential rather than proven IPL pedigree. His inclusion in the squad is based on his performances in domestic cricket and the promise of becoming a future star. Nonetheless, there are significant risks involved. Bethell’s lack of experience at the IPL level could be his biggest hurdle. The leap from county cricket to the IPL, with its different pressures, crowds, and strategic depth, is vast, and many promising players have found this transition challenging.
His bowling, while promising, hasn’t been rigorously tested at this level, and his economy could suffer on the batting-friendly pitches of the IPL. With the bat, Bethell would need to make an immediate impact to justify his selection over more established players, both foreign and domestic. The competition for spots in RCB’s lineup is fierce, and with only a limited number of overseas slots available, Bethell might not get the consistent game time required to build form and confidence.
Looking Forward
The IPL is known for its unpredictability, where players can either rise to the occasion or fall short of expectations. For Lungi Ngidi, Romario Shepherd, and Jacob Bethell, the 2025 season with RCB could be a significant test of their adaptability, resilience, and skill. Ngidi faces the challenge of maintaining consistency in a bowler-unfriendly venue, Shepherd must prove his all-round utility beyond doubt, and Bethell needs to quickly acclimatize to the high-octane environment of the IPL.
While each has the potential to turn the tide for RCB, the conditions, team composition, and individual form could all play against them. RCB’s strategy in integrating these players into their game plan will be crucial. If they fail to find their rhythm, they might be remembered as the overseas acquisitions who didn’t quite fit into the puzzle that is RCB’s quest for an elusive IPL trophy. However, in cricket, as in life, there’s always room for surprises, and these players have the chance to defy the odds and leave their mark in IPL 2025.
